Subd. 1. Purpose and Findings. The City Council intends to discourage underage possession and consumption of alcohol, even if done within the confines of a private residence, and intends to hold persons criminally responsible who host events or gatherings where persons under 21 years of age possess or consume alcohol regardless of whether the person hosting the event or gathering supplied the alcohol. The City Council finds that:
A. Events and gatherings held on private or public property where alcohol is possessed or consumed by persons under the age of 21 are harmful to those persons and constitute a potential threat to public health requiring prevention or abatement.
B. Prohibiting underage consumption acts to protect underage persons, as well as the general public, from injuries related to alcohol consumption, such as alcohol overdose or alcohol-related traffic collisions.
C. Alcohol is an addictive drug which if used irresponsibly could have drastic effects on those who use it as well as those who are affected by the actions of an irresponsible user.
D. Often events or gatherings involving underage possession and consumption occur outside the presence of parents. However, there are times when the parent(s) is/are present and condone the activity and in some circumstances provide the alcohol.
E. Even though giving or furnishing alcohol to an underage person is a crime, it is difficult to prove; and an ordinance is necessary to help further combat underage consumption.
F. A deterrent effect will be created by holding a person criminally responsible for hosting an event or gathering where underage possession or consumption occurs.
Subd. 2. Authority. This section is enacted pursuant to M.S. § 145A.05, Subd. 1, as amended from time to time.
Subd. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this section the following terms have the following meanings:
A. The term "alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, or any other distilled spirits, including dilutions and mixtures thereof from whatever source or by whatever process produced.
B. The term "alcoholic beverage" means alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and which contains 0.5% or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances.
C. The term "event or gathering" means any group of three or more persons who have assembled or gathered together for a social occasion or other activity.
D. The term "host" means to aid, conduct, allow, entertain, organize, supervise, control, or permit a gathering or event.
E. The term "parent" means any person having legal custody of a juvenile:
1. As natural/adoptive parent or stepparent;
2. As a legal guardian; or
3. As a person to whom legal custody has been given by order of the court.
F. The term "person" means any individual, partnership, co-partnership, corporation, or any association of one or more individuals.
G. The term "residence" or "premises" means any home, yard, farm, field, land, apartment condominium, hotel or motel room, or other dwelling unit, or a hall or meeting room, park, or any other place of assembly, public or private, where occupied on a temporary or permanent basis, whether occupied as a dwelling or specifically for a party or other social function, and whether owned, leased, rented, or used with or without permission or compensation.
H. The term "underage person" is any individual under 21 years of age.
Subd. 4. Prohibited Acts.
A. It is unlawful for any person(s) to host or allow an event or gathering at any residence, premises, or on any other private or public property, where alcohol or alcoholic beverages are present, when the person knows or reasonably should know that an underage person will or does (a) consume any alcohol or alcoholic beverage or (b) possess any alcohol or alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume it, and the person fails to take reasonable steps to prevent possession or consumption by the underage person(s).
B. A person is criminally responsible for violating Subd. 4.A. above if the person intentionally aids, advises, hires, counsels, or conspires with or otherwise procures another to commit the prohibited act.
C. A person who hosts an event or gathering does not have to be present at the event or gathering to be criminally responsible.
Subd. 5. Exceptions.
A. This section does not apply to conduct solely between an underage person and his or her parents while present in the parent's household.
B. This section does not apply to legally-protected religious observances.
C. This section does not apply to retail intoxicating liquor or 3.2% malt liquor licensees, municipal liquor stores, or bottle club permit holders who are regulated by M.S. § 340A.503, Subd. 1(a)(1), as amended from time to time.
D. This section does not apply to situations where underage persons are lawfully in possession of alcohol or alcoholic beverages during the course or scope of employment.
Subd. 6. Enforcement. This section can be enforced by any local law enforcement.
(Ord. 54, Fourth Series, passed 12-6-2016)